Automated self-storage system

Abstract

An automated self storage facility which stores individual items in movable storage units and / or storage containers which are stored throughout the storage facility. Limited users access to the facility is provided at predesignated locations. The users container is transported between its storage location and the access location by the automated robotic system within the facility to provide efficient handling, storage and retrieval of goods in a storage facility. A central control system maintains a record container location throughout the facility. Upon request the system retrieves a container and delivers it. The containers may be partitioned such that a single container may have multiple compartments. In this case the automated system maintains a record of compartments and appropriately orients the container at the access location upon retrieval.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 512,401, filed Aug. 30, 2006, entitled Automated Self-Storage System; which application claims benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 712,679, filed Aug. 30, 2005. The above-identified related applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an automated self storage facility which stores individual items in movable storage units and / or storage containers which are stored throughout the storage facility. Limited users access to the facility is provided at predesignated locations. The users container is transported by the system within the facility to the access location when accessed by the user. The system of the present invention provides efficient handling, storage and retrieval of goods in a storage facility.[0003]In a typical self storage facility, each storage unit is provided with its own access doo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]This idea will automate the self storage industry by the mobilization and racking of the storage containers in a large facility. With the system of the present invention, the user has the ability to access his storage unit at the door of the facility. The user is able to load and unload without the need to enter the facility or to navigate internal corridors and or staircases. The present convention also allows for substantially increased storage area on a substantially reduced at facility footprint. By eliminating the need for inter facility passageways and multiple access to individual units, the system of the presentation allows for reduced facility costs and increased land usage density an allowance for increased facility height while maintaining easy access at ground level.

[0010]The system of the present convention provides a key pad and additional access security device at a facility access point. The user of the facility enters a code and provides whatever additional access is required by the facility in order to gain access to an assigned storage unit. The assigned storage unit is retrieved from its storage location within the facility and access is provided to the user at the facility access point. The users storage unit or container, is then robotically retrieved and dropped off in the loading area of. The user is able to load and or unload items for storage in his storage unit. When storage and retrieval of items is completed, the unit is closed and the user instructs the facility to return the storage container to any open storage bay. By returning the storage unit to any open bay, the system is able to manage the retrieval and return of storage units in a more efficient manner as explain more fully below. The system maintains information regarding the location of each storage unit for future retrieval of the storage unit from its new location within the facility.

Problems solved by technology

Limited users access to the facility is provided at predesignated locations.

Because of the need to access each minute individually, a large portion of the facility is consumed by access passageways.

This again consumes significant amounts of storage facility space.

If each of the units must face the exterior of the facility, the facility is often a minute to a single level and therefore takes a significant real estate and requires CD of an additional access roads through and around the facility.

Often facilities of this type are there for the series of separate single story buildings and are limited and location because of the need for a large tract of land.

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